President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, in his speech at the joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh criticised Israel's allies and called on to the Arab and Muslim nations to work together for meaningful change.
The actions of powerful nations, especially the United States and its allies are demonstrating how little regard they have for the lives of the Palestinian people compared to that of others, said President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu today at the joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh.
Speaking at the summit, which is held at Saudi Arabia's initiative, President Muizzu said that Israel’s brutal occupation and ongoing genocide has caused unimaginable death, destruction, and suffering.
He highlighted that nearly 50,000 Palestinians and thousands more have been killed in Lebanon in the past year alone.
"Each death is a tragedy. Families torn apart. Children orphaned and alone. Dreams buried under the rubble. Future vanished before their eyes. We cannot continue like this. Our statement, our condemnations have rung hollow," the President said, adding that such statements of condemnation have not been met with necessary action by those who hold power.
Naming United States, President Muizzu said that Israel's allies "demonstrate that they don't recognise that the lives of Palestinians are as valuable as other human lives."
"Their continued silence and inaction only enable Israel’s brutal occupation and apartheid to persist. The international community, particularly those wielding significant political and economic influence, has failed the people of Palestine," he added.
President Muizzu also addressed the use of vetoes at the United Nations, saying that it continues to paralyse meaningful action, allowing war crimes to go unpunished, and enabling the steady flow of arms that fuel the ongoing genocide.
"Let's be clear, you cannot call for peace, while supplying the weapons of war, and the means of oppression."
President Muizzu went onto emphasise that merely standing in solidarity with recognising the State of Palestine is not enough. He said that the international community must step up their support both financially and politically.
"Every step towards action - whether it's small or big - matters. Earlier this year, the people of Maldives raised and donated over USD 1.2 million for the people of Palestine. The Maldives has also filed a declaration of intervention at the International Court of Justice in support of South Africa’s case against Israel, based on the application of the genocide convention. This is a critical move to hold aggressors accountable, for international law must not be selective," he said.
He reiterated Maldives' rejection of Israel's "outrageous decision" to dismantle UNRWA, and said that "for 75 years, UNRWA has been a lifeline for Palestinian refugees. We call on every nation, to express their support to UNRWA, including through financial support."
In his speech, he also praised the Saudi King for taking the initiative and showing the way for the entire Islamic Ummah to stand up for the rights of the Palestinian people.
He added that he hopes that all Muslim and Arab nations would work together under Saudi Arabia's leadership to push for meaningful change.
"If we, as an Ummah, do not act decisively now, history will judge us harshly. Let this Summit be the turning point where our resolve transforms into real action. For every life lost, for every silenced voice, let us stand firm for justice."
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